Agriculture minister, Calle Schlettwein is proposing a 100% land tax waiver for farmers for the Financial Year 2019/2020, as a mitigation measure against the negative effects of COVID-19 on the farming community.
“Cognizant of the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and livelihoods in particular, the Ministry as the administrator of land tax on commercial agricultural land thought it imperative to waive the collection of this tax to ameliorate the strife experienced by the farmers during the lockdown period,†Schlettwein said.
“Farmers were not able to market their livestock or produce domestically and borders were also closed thus impinging on their ability to earn through the traditional export markets.â€
He said the waiver will enable the agricultural sector to recover in the medium to long term.
“Therefore, as part of relief measures due to COVID-19 pandemic, I recommend waiving the payment of land tax by 100% for all farmers in respect of the FY 2019/2020 to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In accordance with the Act, concurrence for 100% tax relief for Agricultural Commercial farm owners has been received from the Minister responsible for Finance.”
